雑巾
zōkin[d͡zo̞ːkʲĩɴ]
The Japanese word for "rag" is 雑巾 (zōkin).
雑巾 refers to a cloth used for household cleaning tasks, such as wiping tables or mopping floors. It is frequently used as a component in the compound 雑巾がけ (zōkingake), which refers to the specific act of mopping or scrubbing the floor with a cloth.
Meaning: piece of cloth (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
zōkin
Did you know?
- In Japanese primary schools, students are often responsible for cleaning their own classrooms using a 雑巾, a practice that teaches discipline and respect for the environment.
- The phrase 雑巾のように使う (zōkin no yō ni tsukau), meaning 'to use like a rag', is a common idiom used to describe treating a person with total disregard or exploiting them.
- The act of 雑巾がけ is sometimes viewed as a form of mental training or a meditative ritual to clear the mind through repetitive physical labor.
Examples in context
- 雑巾で床を拭きます。Zōkin de yuka o fukimasu.I wipe the floor with a rag.
- 新しい雑巾が必要です。Atarashii zōkin ga hitsuyō desu.I need a new rag.
Example conversation
At home, a son is cleaning the living room.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、雑巾を貸してくれる？Himari, zōkin o kashite kureru?Himari, can you lend me a rag?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、どうぞ。Hai, dōzo.Yes, here you go.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。これを使うよ。Arigatō. Kore o tsukau yo.Thanks. I'll use this.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、掃除を頑張ってね。Hiroto, sōji o ganbatte ne.Good luck with the cleaning, Hiroto.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 雑巾, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
